Olympus, E-410

Olympus Four Thirds imaging system – a standard it created with Kodak that lets you mix and match lenses and bodies from different manufacturers – is, in theory, a very nice idea. Unfortunately, the only models to have supported it were the brick-like E-300 and E-330.

But if there’s any camera that can bring Four Thirds to the mass market, it’s the E-410. Small, light and tidily designed, it has the distinct advantage of actually looking like a camera.

Twice as nice
The standard E-410 lens kit is a nice package, but look out for the twin lens kit which includes an excellent 40-150mm that’s barely bigger than the standard zoom and gives you serious telephoto capability.

The Camedia software and manual are basic, but you do get a neat training DVD. And look – two card slots. One for xD and one for CF.

The E-410’s controls are great, with an interactive interface that puts all the shooting options at your fingertips.

And while picture quality of early Four Thirds cameras wasn’t that great, this one is as good as any of its rivals, and the colours are superb. It also has a ‘live’ view for framing photos on the LCD – none of the others can do that.

LCD-lightful
The interactive interface on the E-410 is quick in use and it’s one of this camera’s high points. The other is that by pressing the button to the right you can compose shots ‘live’ on the LCD.

It’s also got SuperSonic Wave Filter, which is Olympus’s dust removal system, giving the sensor a high-frequency shake for half a second or so when you start the camera up.

But this is the smallest camera of the lot, and it doesn’t have a grip, either, so it can be a slippery little beast for those with big hands.

You’ll pay a bit more for the E-410 than you will with Nikon’s D40x or Canon’s EOS 400D, but the clever controls and the ‘live’ view make it worth it.

Essentials
Nikon D40x
Canon EOS 400D